By Bobby Oshoke
The Minister of Agriculture Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar has stated that the federal government was ready and willing to partner with the Chinese government on Juncao technology towards attaining food security in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of a workshop organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of DESA in collaboration with the National Engineering Research Centre for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) of China, the Agriculture minister expressed delight over the collaborative efforts between China and Nigeria, noting that it was coming at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was responding to the directive of President Buhari to refocusing efforts and strategies to address gaps in the management of national resources as the country moves away from it’s dependence on crude oil.
The Minister who was represented by Engr Abdullahi Abubakar also observed that climate change was one of the major causes of food insecurity around the world stating that the introduction of the JUNCAO technology of China to Nigeria was the right technology in combating it.
“Food may become more expensive as climate change mitigation efforts increase energy prices, increase competition for land as it makes land climatically unsuitable for farming, it also leads to scarcity of water needed for farming.
It is therefore worthy of note that JUNCAO technology be brought around the time of land reclamation and mushroom production which are essential to pasture development, environmental management and climate mitigation”. He said.
Also speaking during the ceremony the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, H. E Cui Jianchun, revealed that the JUNCAO technology was first developed in the 1980s in China to help arid and desert areas to achieve sustainability and to be able to grow crops.
He noted that since then the technology has been embraced globally and is presently being used in over 100 countries.
In Nigeria, he said the technology has been introduced in states like Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau, Anambra, Adamawa, Rivers and Bauchi.
The technology he said has aided in environmental protection and mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the Chinese Ambassador, domesticating the JUNCAO technology in Nigeria will help, “create jobs, Enhance food security, curb youth restlessness and improve overall security” .
He noted that one of the primary goals of his tour of duty in Nigeria is to ensure that a demonstration Centre is built in Abuja for JUNCAO Technology so as to ensure that the country reaps the full benefits of the technology, towards ensuring food security, job creation, reducing farmers herder clashes among other benefits for the country.
Other Dignitries who graced the occasion include: Amson Sibanda, chief, national strategies and capacity building branch division of the United Nations sustainable development goals,
Matthia Schmale, UN Resident Coordinator, in Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akonundi, National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM, Nigeria. Dr. Lawandi Ibrahim Datti, Director/Research Expert, Nigeria-China Juncao Technology Center, Nigeria, Senator Abba Ali and a host of others
The two days workshop was organised by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of DESA in collaboration with the National Engineering Research Centre for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) of China, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
